Breadfruit (malangkota.go.id) – Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD-KEMD, Ph.D, made a working visit to Malang City, Thursday (17/4/2025). During his visit, Dante directly reviewed the implementation Active Case Finding (ACF) tuberculosis cases at Sukun Sub-Health Center and other health services at Janti Health Center.
"We want to ensure that several programs related to public health management are running optimally. Earlier at Pustu Sukun, I saw that the ACF examination, namely the examination of unknown active cases for TB, had been carried out well," said Wamen Dante.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister said that Indonesia is still ranked second in the world in terms of the number of tuberculosis cases. However, he emphasized that with the right and maximum approach in handling tuberculosis, it is hoped that Indonesia can be free from this infectious disease. One of the programs quick wins from the President is to reduce the number of TB cases in the community, one way of which is by conducting examinations on those who are asymptomatic and those who have close contact or live in the same house as TB sufferers.
"If they are examined and found positive, of course they will be treated. So one example of success here is the existence of one of the RW in Bandungrejosari Village which is free of TB, even though previously there were 14 cases and within two years they were able to eradicate TB," explained the Deputy Minister.
In addition to reviewing the implementation of tuberculosis control, together with other teams from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Dante also monitored the implementation of the Free Health Check (CKG) and Primary Service Integration (ILP) programs at the Janti Health Center. The Deputy Minister assessed that the implementation of health services at the Janti Health Center was quite good and innovative.
"If I look at the Janti Health Center, everything has been running well. Moreover, there is an innovation that collaborates with local wisdom, so that it is closer to the community. Apparently, the Janti Health Center has been actively carrying out preventive and promotive efforts well. I also really appreciate the Brexit innovation (Braille Etiquette and Extraordinary Information) to provide easy access and increase the independence of blind patients in taking medication. This shows that Janti Health Center is disability-friendly," explained the Deputy Minister.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Health also began to socialize the plan to establish the Red and White Cooperative in all villages/sub-districts in Indonesia. The existence of the Red and White Cooperative is expected to maximize health services and be closer to the community.
"One of the functional units is in the health sector with the presence of village pharmacies and village clinics targeted at 80 thousand cooperatives throughout Indonesia. So remote areas such as in the islands, remote areas far from health centers will be in each village there will be clinics and pharmacies," he concluded.
On the same occasion, the Head of Janti Health Center, Endang Listyowati, S.Kep.Ns., M.Kes. said that the Deputy Minister's visit to Janti Health Center was because this health center is a satellite health center for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (TB RO). Therefore, the Ministry of Health wants to see how the services and innovations have been carried out in order to reduce the number of tuberculosis cases. In addition to having a tuberculosis-free area in RW 13 Bandungrejosari, in the Janti Health Center's work area there is also a smoke-free RT, namely in Sukun Village.
Endang revealed that the number of TB cases in her work area this year has decreased compared to the previous year. In 2024, there were 67 cases, while in 2025 until March there were 28 cases. "For TB cases from January to March, we handled 28 cases and are currently still in the treatment process. Of the 28 cases, we have also invited around 100 people who were in close contact with the patient to undergo an examination with Portable X-Ray, to see whether they are indicated as positive for TB or not," he explained. (ari/yn)
